Senior journalist Hamid Mir has returned to Geo News nine-months after he was forced off the air for delivering a speech condemning the attack on journalist Asad Toor.
The announcement was made by PPP co-chiarman Asif Ali Zardari during a press conference on Tuesday. Mir will reassume his role as host of Capital Talk, which was being hosted by Munib Farooq in his absence.
Mir was taken off air after he delivered an impassioned speech during a rally outside the National Press Club in May 2021. Mir had spoken out against an attack on journalist Asad Ali Toor by unknown assailants. Although he later apologized for the speech, he was taken off air by Geo TV management.
Journalists took to Twitter to welcome the journalists’ return.
“Let me share a good news with you that [Hamid Mir] has returned to [Geo News] to host Capital Talk,” said reporter Murtaza Ali Shah, sharing a video of Zardari’s press conference.
Let me share a good news with you that @HamidMirPAK has returned to @geonews_urdu to host Capital Talk, former president Asif Ali Zardari announces #hamidmir pic.twitter.com/B3G9N3khU1
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) March 8, 2022
“What a great day of come back on screen of [Hamid Mir]” said Senator Saeed Ghani
What a great day of come back on screen of @HamidMirPAK
Congratulations 👏 pic.twitter.com/AVi49ucFUw— Senator Saeed Ghani (@SaeedGhani1) March 8, 2022
Asma Shirazi said: “Welcome back sir”.
Hamid mir back on screen. Welcome back sir @HamidMirPAK
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) March 8, 2022
According to the International Federation of Journalists, Pakistan is ranked as the fifth most dangerous country for journalists. In 2021, Reporters Without Borders ranked Pakistan as the 145th country out of 180 countries on its world press freedom index.
Let thousand flowers blossom !
Bravo NAYA DAUR TV
Long live Raza Rumi and Murtaza Solangi and bravo NAYA DAUR TV. Please keep it up.
I welcome Hamid Mir back on Capital Talk program